A review of autism treatment records identifies behavioral strategies that reduce tendency to eat dangerous nonfood items

A new report finds that behavioral therapy can effectively curb pica – the dangerous tendency to eat things that aren’t food. Pica is common among those with autism and can require constant vigilance from caregivers trying to prevent it. The report appears this week in the Journal of Autism and Development Disorders. In it, the researchers identify several intervention strategies that appear particularly helpful. Behavioral therapists have long tried to curb pica in children with autism. Previous reports, based largely on individual cases, have supported different approaches. But none of these reviews have demonstrated which strategies, if any, are most effective. “Because even one instance of pica can be life threatening, the goal of treatment should be the behavior’s complete elimination,” comments behavior analyst Kara Reagon, Autism Speaks associate director of dissemination science. Dr. Reagon was not directly involved in the new study. The researchers, with Atlanta’s
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